The Rows

Chester has been offering retail therapy to visitors since it developed as a bustling market town in the Middle Ages.

Then it created the unique Rows galleries giving visitors stores at street level with steps to another tier of shops above - undercover heaven!

It’s also not surprising that the oldest shopping façade in England is in The Rows!

Shoemakers and Iron Mongers once sold their wares in these magnificent 700 year old medieval marvels, when fruit, root and herb markets were all the rage and horse, cloth and cheese fairs flourished in the city.

Some famous names have visited The Rows, finding them fit for comment. John Wesley noted how they kept him clean and dry in any weather. A century later Victorian novelist and travel writer George Borrow thought that the Rows contained 'All the best shops in Chester' - and they still do!

The Rows are truly unique with their double-deck delights and it’s not just your usual list of retail who’s who in Chester either. The city is home to a host of retailers that you just won’t find elsewhere.

You’ll find distinctively different stores in the upper galleries of The Rows especially in Watergate Street and Bridge Street as well as hidden gems just off the main thoroughfares like Rufus Court, and Godstall Lane.

See the list of stores you can find up on the Rows below or use the search function on this page to search for shops by category.

Be Inspired

Al Fresco on The Rows

Many of Chester's best bars and restaurants offer al fresco dining, and there aren't many better places for outdoor drinking and dining than the historic Rows.
Eat & Drink on The Rows

Chester's Rows are steeped in culinary history. Today Chester carries on this tradition with a whole host of places to get your fill on The Rows.
Jewellery on The Rows

Although jewellery wasn’t an integral part of The Rows when they were first built, it certainly is now, and jewellers have called The Rows their home since the 19th Century. Some of the oldest and most well-established businesses on The Rows are its jewellers.
Fashion on The Rows

As far back as Medieval times, Cestrians could find clothing and shoes on The Rows. Nowadays you can find everything from luxury boutiques and big-name brands, to some of the best independents around.
Health & Beauty on The Rows

The Rows have had a link with Chester’s health and wellbeing for centuries. Whether you need to care for your skin, hair, nails, or even get a tattoo, you can do it on The Rows!
The Rows: The Independent Heart of Chester
These medieval two-tiered covered galleries are the centrepiece to Chester’s main thoroughfares and are bursting with remnants of just about every part of Chester’s storied past.
The History of The Rows

The Rows have fascinated Chester’s visitors and locals alike for over 700 years. Radiating from the Cross, in the heart of the walled city, the Rows line Chester's four main streets and are now one of its main attractions. This guide will help you discover a little bit more about what gives Chester one of England's most distinctive townscapes
Accessible Rows

The Rows are accessible for wheelchairs and buggies. There are four main access points for The Rows located throughout the city centre's historic thoroughfares.